Stormwater downpipe

ABSTRACT

A stormwater overflow downpipe ( 10 ) has a pipe ( 14, 16 ) for directing stormwater from a roof gutter ( 18 ) to an underground stormwater drain pipe ( 20 ), and has stormwater egress means or apertures ( 22 ) formed in the pipe for allowing stormwater rising up within the pipe to exit the downpipe ( 10 ) therethrough. Particularly, the plurality of apertures ( 22 ) are formed through at least one wall ( 21 ) of the pipe.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in stormwater downpipes and, in particular, to a stormwater overflow downpipe adapted to prevent stormwater accumulating in a downpipe and flooding the roof gutter feeding into the downpipe. The present invention also relates to modifying or retrofitting existing stormwater downpipes with means to prevent such stormwater accumulation and flooding. In the present specification, the term “stormwater” may mean rain water, melting water from hail or snow, water expelled from a hose, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The flooding of roof gutters by rising stormwater in downpipes may occur after sudden heavy downpours of rain, or during a prolonged period of rain when an underground stormwater-drain pipe feeding from the downpipe is blocked, say, by the roots of a plant invading the underground pipe. In such circumstances, the stormwater in the gutters will eventually spill over the sides of the gutter and cause water damage to the traditionally wooden eaves of the roof, which are normally protected from exposure to stormwater. Stormwater ingress into the roof of the building through cracks in the eaves may also occur. Where the gutter and downpipe are fabricated of a corrodible metal, the long term presence of stormwater therein will accelerate corrosion of the metal. The gutter may also experience physical damage, such as sagging, under the weight of the water build up therein.

[0003] Stormwater hobs in the downpipe have been utilized in some buildings to overcome the problem of roof gutters flooding by rising stormwater in downpipes. The stormwater hob provides an enlarged cross-sectional space within the downpipe that can be filled slowly by the rising stormwater in the downpipe and has overflow outlets. The hob thus acts as an overflow sink that, in the course of its filling and overflowing with stormwater, prevents the stormwater rising further up the downpipe. However, stormwater hobs are normally located near the upper end of the downpipe and, because they are intended to hold the weight of the water filling them, must be securely mounted by bolt assemblies to the downpipe. The cost of installing and maintaining the stormwater hob may be prohibitive or may impose an added cost burden to those who wish to utilise it. Furthermore, the stormwater hob occupies a large space under the eaves and may be used for nesting by birds and insects. Stormwater overflowing from the outlets of the hob will, in most cases, run down the sides of the downpipe, but in some cases may fall freely from the downpipe causing an unsightly “waterfall-like” appearance.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a stormwater overflow downpipe comprising pipe means for directing stormwater from a roof gutter to an underground drain pipe, and stormwater egress means formed in the pipe means for allowing stormwater rising up within the pipe means to exit the downpipe therethrough, wherein the stormwater egress means comprise a plurality of apertures formed through at least one wall of the pipe means.

[0006] Preferably, the pipe means includes a vertically disposed pipe portion and the plurality of apertures are formed through a front or side wall of the vertically disposed pipe portion.

[0007] In a preferred form, each one of the plurality of apertures is formed by punching and deforming a respective portion of a flat sheet prior to forming the flat sheet into the pipe means.

[0008] In a further preferred form, the stormwater egress means comprise a plurality of apertures formed through a plate that is secured over an opening through at least one wall of the pipe means.

[0009] Preferably, the plate is made of metal and is secured over the opening in the pipe means, which is also made of metal, by rivets or weld.

[0010] It is preferred that each one of the apertures in either the flat sheet that forms the pipe means or the plate that is secured over an opening in the pipe means is defined by a deformed portion of the wall extending into the pipe means, wherein the deformed portion extends progressively further into the pipe means in a downward direction, the arrangement being such that stormwater flowing down the inside surface of the wall will not flow out of the pipe means through the apertures, but stormwater rising up within the pipe means will exit the pipe means through the apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a sectional, side view of a stormwater overflow downpipe according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention installed alongside a building and feeding into an underground stormwater pipe,

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a stormwater downpipe according to second and third preferred embodiments of the invention,

[0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a lower portion of a stormwater downpipe according to fourth and fifth preferred embodiments of the invention, showing plates having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and that can be secured over an opening through a wall of a pipe means of the downpipe,

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the plates of FIG. 3,

[0016]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a stormwater downpipe according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plate having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough that can be secured over an opening through a wail of a pipe means of a stormwater downpipe according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0018]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the plate of FIG. 6,

[0019]FIG. 8 a is a front elevational view of a plate assembly that includes a plate with a plurality of apertures formed therethrough that can be secured over an opening through a wall of a pipe means of a stormwater downpipe according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0020]FIG. 9 is an exploded side elevational view of the plate assembly of FIG. 8,

[0021]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the plate assembly of FIG. 8,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The stormwater downpipe 10 shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of a rectangular section pipe, having a vertically disposed pipe portion 14 and an inclined pipe portion 16. The downpipe 10 is fed by a roof gutter 18 which captures stormwater and the stormwater is directed through the downpipe 10 to an underground stormwater drain pipe 20 to, say, a roadside gutter. It should be understood that the downpipe 10 may alternatively be comprised of a circular section pipe, or other suitable shape.

[0023] Formed through the front wall 21 of the vertically disposed portion 14 of the downpipe 10 are a plurality of apertures 22 serving as stormwater egress means for stormwater rising up within the downpipe 10. The apertures 22 are at a height of about 40cm above ground level.

[0024] Each one of the apertures 22 in the downpipe 10, as well as in the downpipe portion 38 shown in FIG. 2, is formed by punching and deforming a flat sheet at a location corresponding to the front wall of the downpipe when the sheet is formed into the rectangular section pipe. Where the downpipe is made of metal, an automated hole punch device may be utilized to puncture the metal sheet at the desired locations so as to produce the apertures, and the metal sheet may then be folded and sealed longitudinally to create the rectangular section pipe. This process maybe carried out near the site of installation of the downpipe, say, from the rear of a vehicle supporting a custom-made metal sheet extruder and pipe forming device.

[0025] As shown in detail with respect to the similar aperture embodiments of FIG. 2, 3 and 4, each aperture 22 is defined by a deformed portion 24 of the front wall extending into the downpipe. The deformed portion 24 is severed at its lower region 26 from the surrounding non-deformed portion 28 of the front wall, but is continuous and creased at its upper region 30 with the surrounding non-deformed front wall portion 32. As a result, the deformed portion 24 tapers or extends progressively further into the downpipe as the deformed portion 24 is followed downwardly (see especially FIG. 4). This ensures that stormwater flowing down the inside surface of the front wall of the downpipe will not flow out of the downpipe via the apertures 22, but stormwater rising up within the downpipe will exit through the apertures 22 as soon as the stormwater reaches the severed location between the lower region 26 of the deformed portion 24 and the surrounding non-deformed front wall portion 28.

[0026] The stormwater downpipe portions 38 and 40, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively, illustrate the preferred shape of each of the deformed portions that create the apertures 22, and various arrangements for the apertures. Each of the apertures 22 have a “cathedral window”shape and may be located through the front wall of the downpipe or through a side wall of the downpipe as shown in ghosted outline in both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0027]FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 to 10 are directed to modifying or retrofitting an existing stormwater downpipe with means to prevent stormwater accumulating in the downpipe and flooding the roof gutter feeding into the downpipe.

[0028] Specifically, FIGS. 3, 4, 6 and 7 show various plates and FIGS. 8 to IO show a plate assembly that includes a plate, wherein all of the plates have a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and can be secured over an opening through a wall of a downpipe.

[0029] Such openings 50, 52 through respective front and side walls of the downpipe portion 40 are shown in FIG. 3. Plates 58, 60, which are made of metal to suit the metal structure of the downpipe 40, are, in this case, riveted, but may alternatively be welded, to their respective front and side walls over the openings 50, 52.

[0030] The apertures 22 formed through the plates 58, 60 shown in FIG. 3 are formed in a similar manner well known to persons skilled in the art to that mentioned above for the apertures formed through the front wall of the downpipes 10, 38 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0031] The apertures 72 formed through the plate 74 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are horizontally elongated slots with deformed portions 76 that extend into the interior of the downpipe, thus forming a louvred plate. A slot punching and deforming device may be utilized to create the apertures in the plate 74. The louvred plate 74 provides an effective, safe and presentable solution to the problem of stormwater accumulation and flooding through downpipes. The louvred plate 74 may be removably secured, say, by screws to the wall of the downpipe so as to enable its removal for allowing the running of a hose or other high pressure device through the resulting hole to unblock the underground stormwater pipe or drain.

[0032] In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the apertures 78, 80 formed through the plate 82 of the plate assembly 84 are of two shapes, namely circular and rectangular, to suit specific requirements. A tapered hood or cover 86 is secured to the rear or pipe interior surface of the plate 82 to ensure that stormwater flowing down the inside surface of the downpipe wall to which the plate 82 is secured does not flow out of the downpipe through the apertures 78, 80, and to ensure that stormwater rising up within the downpipe does exit the downpipe through the apertures.

[0033] The stormwater downpipe portion 94, shown in FIG. 5, illustrates a further alternative shape and geometric arrangement for the apertures 98 through the front wall of the downpipe.

[0034] It is an advantage of the stormwater downpipe of the present invention that, in the event of a heavy downpour of rain, a blockage in the underground stormwater drain pipe will not cause the rain flowing into the downpipe to accumulate therein and ultimately flood and overflow the roof gutter feeding the downpipe.

[0035] It is a further advantage of the present invention that stormwater downpipes or plates with a plurality of apertures formed therethrough that can be retrofitted to downpipes for the purpose of the invention may be available to users as a purchasable item during or after the construction of a building.

[0036] Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention. 

1. A stormwater overflow downpipe comprising pipe means for directing stormwater from a roof gutter to an underground drain pipe, and stormwater egress means formed in the pipe means for allowing stormwater rising up within the pipe means to exit the downpipe therethrough, wherein the stormwater egress means comprise a plurality of apertures formed through at least one wall of the pipe means.
 2. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 1 wherein the pipe means includes a vertically disposed pipe portion and the plurality of apertures are formed through a front or side wall of the vertically disposed pipe portion.
 3. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of apertures is formed by punching and deforming a respective portion of a flat sheet prior to forming the flat sheet into the pipe means.
 4. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 1 wherein the stormwater egress means comprise a plurality of apertures formed through a plate that is secured over an opening through at least one wall of the pipe means.
 5. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 1 wherein each one of the apertures is defined by a deformed portion of the wall extending into the pipe means, wherein the deformed portion extends progressively further into the pipe means in a downward direction, the arrangement being such that stormwater flowing down the inside surface of the wall will not flow out of the pipe means through the apertures, but stormwater rising up within the pipe means will exit the pipe means through the apertures.
 6. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 4 wherein the plate is removably secured over an opening through at least one wall of the pipe means.
 7. The stormwater overflow downpipe of claim 6 wherein the opening is through the front wall of the pipe means and the plate is removably secured over the opening by screws. 